MBA Corner

2007 January Update

Tsunami Relief Action Initiative (TRAI)

Interested in working on Tsunami relief projects in Thailand for your internship? An Information Session outlining the Tsunami Recovery Action Initiative (TRAI) was held on December 4, 2006. The information session began with a program introduction by Professor Jack Kasarda and Professor David Hartzell.

Tom Beamon presented an overview of the TRAI project on behalf of the Kenan Institute Asia. The presentation [PPT 8MB]highlighted the three year mission of the TRAI project. The discussion then turned to the affected area in Thailand, its natural and cultural resources, the current state of its recovery, and the need for a comprehensive redevelopment plan for its tourism industry. The session closed with a discussion of internship opportunities for UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA students in hotel marketing and sustainable tourism planning. The program is funded for one more year. Stay tuned for future developments and opportunities. To view the presentation click HERE.

Marketing to a Diverse Population

On November 20th, UNC alumna Shelley Willingham-Hinton, CEO of the National Organization for Diversity in Sales and Marketing and the non-profit Foundation for Diversity lead a discussion on marketing to diverse populations. This event was sponsored by AMBS, the Marketing Club, GLBTA, MBASA Diversity Committee, and the Kenan Institute. Shelley met 50 students eager to learn about a topic often under addressed in the traditional marketing curriculum. Her presentation [PDF 2MB] focused on the growing purchasing power of minorities and how to make a more solid business case for marketing to diverse groups. Shelley provided insightful examples of "right" and "not-so-right" advertisements targeting diverse groups. Students in the group also shared their personal experiences with diversity marketing in internships and previous jobs. Please visit www.minoritymarketshare.com for more details on her organization.

Jim Starry on More Efficient Airports

	Jim Starry's innovative airport

Jim Starry presented his vision for Starports, revamped airports less damaging to the environment that utilize gravity to save fuel. Starports represent a revolutionary design for airports that Starry claims will occupy less space and save millions of gallons of fuel each year. During the presentation Starry responded to numerous questions from professors, students, a commercial pilot and others. Many of these questions related to potential financial cost savings from Starports and implementation issues with changing the modern airport. Changing the society's airport paradigm will require substantial promotional and selling work as well as a comprehensive cost/benefit analysis. If you want to learn more or are interested in working with Starry, you can contact him at 815.499.1267.

Student Internships and Opportunities with the Kenan Institute

Check out summer internship opportunities with the Kenan Institute on Enterprise and other student opportunities .

More internship opportunities with the Kenan Institute will be posted as the Mod progresses. Descriptions of last year's internships are also posted in the student opportunities section of the Kenan Institute section on the intranet.

Interested in Becoming a Kenan Liaison?

The Kenan Institute is accepting applications for next year's Kenan Liaisons [PDF 42K]. For more information about Kenan Liaison positions, contact

Casino Night

For the second year in a row, The Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise and the MBA Student Association (MBASA) Social Committee hosted Casino Royale at the Kenan Center to raise money for the UNC Kenan-Flagler Habitat for Humanity project.

On Dec. 10 nearly 500 people — UNC Kenan-Flagler students, faculty and staff — enjoyed a community-building night of music, casino games and auctions to support "The House That Kenan-Flagler Built."

The silent and live auctions raised more than $10,000 from 44 donated items. The largest bid for the live auction, once again, was the wine tasting for 14 students with Dean Steve Jones at his home, which garnered $1,050. The largest bid in the silent auction was $1,125 for a weekend getaway at a mountain cabin in western North Carolina. Approximately $14,000 total was raised for the Habitat project from ticket sales, donations from Kenan Institute faculty and staff and from the auctions.

"The event was a smashing success," said Alison McPheely (MBA), chair of the Casino Royale event committee. "Tables were still completely full when the event closed at midnight, and we had a tough time getting people out the door!"

Sponsors of Casino night included Deloitte, Savory Fare, Signature Event Rentals, Tropicana (Pepsi) and the Kenan Institute.

Xander, Elena, Tom, and Leo